Stock Market & Financial Investment News

BP to sell Yacheng gas field in China to KUFPEC for $308M in cashBP today announced that it has agreed the sale of its 34.3 per cent interest in the Yacheng gas field in the South China Sea to Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company for $308M in cash. Subject to regulatory, CNOOC (CEO) and third party approvals, BP expects the deal to close in the second half of 2013. Following completion, the Yacheng partnership will consist of CNOOC (51%), and Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (49%).

Saudi Arabia aims to become second-largest refined oil exporter, WSJ saysSaudi Arabia's oil minister Ali al-Naimi said Wednesday it plans to become the world's second-largest refined oil product exporter by 2017, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing statements given at a conference. Two new refineries in Saudi Arabia will add 800,000 BPD this year, and a planned 2017 refinery in Jazan will bring the kingdom's total capacity to over 3M BPD. Publicly traded companies in the space include BP (BP), Chevron (CVX), ConocoPhillips (COP), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) and Total (TOT). Reference Link

USW to expand ULP oil strikeThe United Steelworkers, USW, announced that it will expand its unfair labor practice strike, ULP, by launching a work stoppage tonight at midnight at the Motiva Enterprises refinery in Port Arthur, Texas. This refinery, a 50-50 joint venture between Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining, produces more than 600,000 barrels per day. In addition, 24 hour strike notices were delivered at Motiva’s two Louisiana refineries in Convent and Norco as well as at the Shell Chemical plant in Norco. Capacity at these facilities is 235,000 and 238,000. These refineries are also jointly operated by Royal Dutch Shell and Saudi Refining, Inc. of Saudi Arabia. “The industry’s refusal to meaningfully address safety issues through good faith bargaining gave us no other option but to expand our work stoppage,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. Publicly traded companies in the space include BP (BP), Chevron (CVX), ConocoPhillips (COP), Exxon Mobil (XOM), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) and Total (TOT). Reference Link

U.S. judge rejects BP request for lower fine per barrel, Reuters saysU.S. District Judge Carl Barbier has rejected BP's request for a maximum fine of $3,000 per barrel, upholding the maximum penalty of $4,300 per barrel, reports Reuters. The decision means the total fine for BP could reach $13.7B, though it is still unclear when a final decision will be reached. BP spokesman Geoff Morrell stated the company is considering its legal options. Reference Link